Since the start of modern mechanical engineering, numerous patents, new developments and innovative details can be attributed to the inventive spirit of INDEX. Perhaps that is the reason why we are always looking to push our limits and be better. Our ultimate goal is to build the best turning machines through top performance. Check out the current INDEX product portfolio including production turning machines, turn-mill centers, turn-grind centers, vertical turning machines and CNC multi-spindle turning machines.

INDEX automatic turning machines are especially designed for fast, cost-effective production of standard automated turned parts and complex CNC turned parts. The flexibility of CNC technology, combined with the high speed of classic automation, allows the production of small to medium lot sizes at competitive prices.

The INDEX universal turning machine has an excellent reputation around the world when it comes to the machining of large chuck, shaft, and bar workpieces. Through precision, efficiency, short cycle times, and ease of use, these universal turning machines have set a standard in their class. The machines can be tailored to suit any specific requirements – prototype production, small and medium series production, or for use in a production line.

INDEX multi spindle automatic lathes combine the advantages of CNC technology with those of cam-controlled machines. They can be used not only for series production of a wide range of precision parts but also for small series due to their extremely short setup times. Whatever the application, these multi spindle turning machines impress with their high performance.

INDEX turn-mill centers set the standard for economic, high-precision solutions tailored to the customer's needs. Standards ranging from the classic production turning machine to tailor-made machining cells equipped with handling units. For the machining of simple to highly complex parts, in small to large lot sizes, INDEX consistently offers economically and technologically superior solutions.

INDEX vertical turning centers meet all requirements of a low-cost flexible series production of chuck parts. The vertical mobile motor spindle carries out the “handling” and “machining” functions. Short travel distances, combined with high rapid traverse speeds, substantially reduce time. Even high-precise grinding operations are possible on these vertical turning machines.

The turn-grind centers combine the advantages of the turning and grinding process, such as shorter cycle times, high quality and maximum process safety. In addition, the machines benefit from the rigidity of the machine concept, which is traditionally designed for the high process forces during turning and milling and ensures tolerances down to the nearest µ.

Always well loaded. The bar loading magazines are ideally adjusted to the INDEX & TRAUB CNC turning machines for single-spindle and multi-spindle turning operations. They convince with short set-up times , fast bar change and a backlash-free guidance of the bar for high surface qualities.

Excellent software solutions for INDEX machine tools. Discover the new operating system Xpanel i4.0 ready for a direct communication with your business organization and the machine control. Take advantage of our outstanding programming and 3D-simulation software VirtualLine.

Virtual Machine is a software solution that supports almost all of the functionality of your INDEX machine tool and adds even further components. You simulate the exact machining, regardless of whether you carry out programming on the machine or with a CAM system. It is based on the original data of the Siemens software, the INDEX control and the machine geometry.

VirtualPro is an innovative programming aid for INDEX turning machines. A large number of powerful input masks, parameterizable sequences and geometric functions simplify programming considerably. You create the desired workpiece program more quickly and conveniently and, thus, in a more reliable manner.

At TRAUB we consider it to be our foremost duty to serve our customers. TRAUB has achieved its reputation as one of the leading manufacturers of CNC turning and machining centers not only by having gained a headstart in matters of advanced technology and excellence, but also through the development of a user-oriented product range and an extensive service network. Here is a brief introduction to our competitive range of machine tools with its universal turning centers and short and long turning machines.

The TRAUB TNA line has an excellent reputation around the world when it comes to the machining of large chuck, shaft, and bar workpieces. Through precision, efficiency, short cycle times, and ease of use, these universal turning machines have set a standard in their class. The machines can be tailored to suit any specific requirements – prototype production, small and medium series production, or for use in a production line.

CNC sliding headstock automatics from TRAUB are designed for exact and productive manufacturing of long and slim parts with a maximum diameter of 32 mm. The multitude of variants, miniturization and precision of the work pieces are but a few of the demands on a CNC swiss turning center. The TNL-series is characterized through high performance in combination with easy setup and programming.

TRAUB turn-mill centers are intended for economic complete machining of complex parts on a single machine. Turning and milling operations, as well as the implementation of other machining processes such as polygon turning, profile and flat milling, the production of special threads or the integration of laser machining. The decisive factor is not the multitude of variants, but the profit you make.

The performance of a modern machine tool depends not only on a well-designed machine but also to a large degree on the CNC control. TRAUB has realized this early on, which is why we have been developing our own control concept TX8i-series, thus setting new standards. For comfortable generation, optimizing and simulation of CNC programs, TRAUB offers WinFlexIPS, that can be run on both the machine and the PC.

Standard functions and interfaces available in the control enable easy integration of the machine in the respective production environment. You have quick access to production information and custom applications that are displayed directly on the control screen.

WinFlexIPS Plus is the enhanced version of the proven system WinFlexIPS, tailored to the ideal use of the TRAUB machines with the functionalities programming and simulation on the basis of the TRAUB TX8i CNC core – supplemented by the additional advantage of manual operation of the entire machine functionality.

Teamwork for world leader

W&H is one of the leading manufacturers of dental precision instruments and devices. Important success factors include product innovations as well as an innovative business structure with teamwork and a day portion model. The highly qualified employees have access to a fleet of machines that enable the manufacture of highly integrated components.

The first thing that visitors notice at W&H Dentalwerk in the Austrian town of Bürmoos near Salzburg is the open and friendly atmosphere. The modern and bright architecture predominantly made of glass highlights that this is a special industrial operation. The W&H Group continues to be a hugely successful developer and producer of dental precision devices and instruments. The company that was founded in 1890 in Berlin and moved to Bürmoos in 1944 has been under the ownership of the Malata family since 1958 and now employs around 1,000 staff around the world. The „family philosophy“ is firmly established among all of the company‘s employees along with the values of commitment, appreciation and trust. The company encourages high levels of motivation through efficient teamwork and flat hierarchies.

The current W&H product range includes instruments for tooth restoration, prosthetics and mechanical root canal treatment as well as surgical straight and contra-angle handpieces for inserting implants, along with the associated drive units. The company also manufactures devices such as Air Scaler and Piezo Scaler that are used for professional prophylaxis. Furthermore, W&H offers instruments and devices for the hygiene and maintenance sector as well as for dental laboratories. The product range is extensive and 95% of it is exported to over 110 countries. For this reason, besides the production facilities in Bürmoos and the Italian town of Brusaporto, there are currently 19 subsidiaries in the key European, Asian and North American countries.

Innovation through motivation

Over the last forty years, W&H has succeeded in bringing many innovations onto the market. Each year it files a number of parents designed to enable more pleasant and effective dental treatment. In 1979 W&H succeeded in building a comfort push-button system in a contra-angle handpiece with turbine that enables instruments to be changed easily. A more recent highlight: In 2007 W&H was the first global manufacturer to bring sterilized LED‘s onto the market that can be integrated into dental instruments.

Dipl.-Ing. Roman Gratzer, a member of the company management team, ex-plains: „We focus completely upon the needs of our customers at all times, and not just when we are developing our products. This focus continues through to the after sales service where we always try to offer the customer quick, competent and reliable support.“ Behind all the innovative products is a multi-layer business model with a special organizational structure. The team structure is quite unique and is in place in all areas of the business from administration to production. Most of the 625 employees at the site work in small teams with a maximum of seven people. They steer and manage themselves as much as possible – without a team leader.

As part of the management team, Roman Gratzer is responsible for the areas of production and engineering. He reports: „We have a total of 23 teams in the production area, which I only advise or supervise in the event of problems. They operate like small profit centers and look after the costs incurred, work allocation, the machinery and equipment. They order materials and spare parts – they simply have complete responsibility for their area.“

This requires a high level of competence at both a social and a technical level from each individual employee. „It works,“ confirms Gratzer „even if it has taken time to develop. If other companies wanted to copy the system overnight it would not work.“

The same rings true for W&H products. „The sophisticated design of the individual components is the best copy protection“ reasons Roman Gratzer. Competition in the dental technology sector is fierce, especially in the Netherlands. W&H counters this through innovations of the highest standard, created through the know-how of its employees that has built up over many years.

One example: When carious areas in the tooth enamel need to be treated, the dentist can use different W&H products. He either uses the air-powered turbine that drives the tool with up to 380,000 rpm, or he uses a mechanically-driven straight and contra-angle handpiece that includes two gear speeds with ball bearings and reaches 200,000 rpm. Each of these devices contains tiny precision parts that are very challenging to produce.

To master the production of these parts, W&H uses highly trained employees who have usually learned these skills within the company. They operate a fleet of machines including around 120 CNC machines for turning, milling, grinding, wire eroding, laser cutting, laser welding and honing. Turning is usually the first work step. There are 30 TRAUB machines, among others, in the production hall that are used for this purpose. Roman Gratzer reports: „In the 1970‘s we were already using the first TRAUB machines. Since then you will now only find modern machine series such as the TNL 12, TNL 26 and more recently the TNL 18 and TNL 32.“ The first TRAUB fixed headstock automatic lathe, the TNL 12, was supplied in 2005, tested thoroughly and found to be good. Service was even included in the assessment as system availability needs to remain as high as possible. The after sales support is therefore extremely important. „A good hotline, quick delivery of spare parts and competent service personnel“, is how the W&H operational manager describes his preferences. „TRAUB was able to impress us in this respect as well as on the technological side. The machines are very precise, the technology is unique.“

First-class employees and machines

W&H operators reap enormous benefits from the machines. They can turn with an accuracy of 4 to 5 µm. Even greater precision when required: A special part is produced in series production whereby a drawing tolerance of 3 µm is even maintained from the bar. The precision is retained without the need for post-machining, although the part does then go through a hardening process.

The length and geometry of a component determines which machine it is machined on. As most components have turned and milled contours, nearly all the turning machines at W&H can also be used for milling. Roman Gratzer recognizes the strength of its supplier TRAUB in this respect as the machines effortlessly offer the necessary milling performance. In the future we will focus upon machines that have a B-axis in addition to the linear X/Y/Z axes. „The geometric complexity of the workpieces is continually increasing“, reasons Roman Gratzer. „Our products must be small so that the dentist can hold them in his or her hand. As such an increasing number of functions and feeds are integrated into the given installation space. This requires different holes in a great many angular positions that can only be reasonably drilled with a B-axis.“

Delivery of the exact number of pieces

Now W&H does not produce precision components in large-scale production, however. It tries to minimize the batch size. On the one hand the stock turnover and stock on hand should be low and on the other hand the company can respond quickly to market changes or legal regulations.

W&H is logistically geared towards the day portion model. This means that in one day the products are assembled using the individual parts, after which they are tested, packaged and dispatched. There is no large interim storage facility. Furthermore all the sold parts are reproduced on a 20-day cycle. The production of virtually precise quantities is only worthwhile however if the non-productive times are kept low. Roman Gratzer again makes reference to his highly qualified employees in production who take on a wide variety of tasks in order to avoid time-consuming handovers and interfaces. They receive the drawings from the developer and exchange directly with him. They act as programmers, set-up specialists and operators. Each employee even maintains his machines and is responsible for the machine environment. He also determines which tools are to be used. W&H operates in-house tool construction, where special tools are manufactured that offer several functions and contribute towards quicker production of parts.

The employee on the machine is also responsible for the quality of the parts produced. Roman Gratzer explains: „We do not have a QA department that checks and approves all parts. Each individual checks his work until the parts are supplied in the assembly. The controls in place first involve checking the fully assembled end products that are then supplied directly to the customer.“